Onyishi Enugu Ezike coronates Philanthropist, Odumegwu, with Eagle Feather on Cap
The Onyishi of Enugu Ezike Ancient Kingdom, Agu Eze Nwaokpe,102 years, has coronated a renowned Philanthropist, Dr Ejikeme Odumegwu, with an Eagle Feather on his Red Cap in recognition for his philanthropy and care for the elderly.
Nwaokpe, a Centenarian and the oldest man in Enugu Ezike Ancient Kingdom, pronounced the coronation during the “Ikpu isi” (Traditional Hair Cut Ceremony) of the Onyishi of Enugu Ezike on Sunday.
Odumegwu, who is the Owelle of Nsukka, was accompanied to the ceremony by Chairman of Igboeze North LGA Traditional Rulers’ Council, Igwe Cyril Ayogu (Ogburu Ugbowu Jide Ofor) as well as a community youth leader Comrade Ayogu Agbo (the Great) and the executives of the Association of Enugu Ezike Herbalist Association under the Chairmanship of Chief Festus Eke ( Arusi Udoku).
Most prominent in attendance was the former Chairman and Grand Patron of Enugu State Traditional Rulers’ Council, Igwe Simeon Osisi-Itodo (Ezeoha 1 of Aji, Essodo): Former Executive Chairman of Igboeze North LGA, Nze Chidi Omeh; Chairman of Igboeze North (IGR), Comrade Fidelis Mama; Chief Ody Ogili and Hon Marthin Ayogu among other personalities.
Addressing the mammoth crowd at the ceremony, Nwaokpe urged youths to be law-abiding and stick to instructions handed to them by elders.
The centenarian noted that being law-abiding and sticking to instructions would foster lasting peace in the community, council area, state, and entire country.
He said, “There will be no meaningful and monumental development without enduring peace.”
According to him, I urge youths to work and earn decent wage/salary and follow life with an open mind devoid of hatred or working against any one’s positive and genuine progress.
“This earth is never ours. We come and go. Let us show love to one another in the few numbered days we are meant to live here on earth.
“I pray and preach peace and love to everybody in the country, Enugu State and Enugu Ezike community even as we continue to live in harmony and be our brother’s keeper,” he said.
The centenarian also prayed and blessed Odumegwu, his entire household, and all the entourage that accompanied him to the visit.
“As you have supported my welfare and continuously celebrated me while I am alive; things and developments of celebration will not cease from your life and God in His infinite grace will also give you longevity on earth,” he added.
Speaking, Igwe Cyril Ayogu, the Chairman of Igboeze North LGA Traditional Rulers’ Council, appreciated God for giving Onyishi of Enugu Ezike longevity as well as sound physical and mental health to complement it.
Ayogu, who is also the Traditional Ruler of Umuopu autonomous community in Enugu Ezike, also lauded Odumegwu for the homage and leading by positive example meant for every youth and indigene of Enugu Ezike to follow.
“Everybody should follow the right path of life. Respect and honor instructions of the elders for both individual and collective good of all,” he said.
Responding, Odumegwu, who is also the Ndegbe 1 of Enugu Ezike, said that for some years running as part of his philanthropy gesture he had placed the Onyishi Enugu Ezike on a monthly allowance of N100,000 and other elders of the rest composite communities on N20,000 monthly allowance.
He said that the homage to Onyishi had been a routine one, adding: “One can achieve more in life with the prayers, blessings and guidance of the elders.
“Paying homage to our elders, old parents, and the needy to provide succor is a pilgrimage one must embark on to grow.
“As Enugu Ezike people, we cherish and respect our rich cultural heritage as well as traditional and elders’ institutions, which ‘Onyishi Enugu Ezike Oba – Agu Eze Nwaokpe’ represents and symbolises.
“I will advise all, especially the youths, to follow elders’ counsel for peace and progress to reign everywhere in the country,” he said.
Odumegwu recalled that the Great Zik of Africa and first President of Nigeria, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, in 1994 after observing his (Odumegwu) charisma and leadership prowess with a futuristic eye christened him “The Owelle of Nsukka”.
“While in 2019, all traditional rulers in Enugu Ezike imposed it on me that they must coronate me with a traditional title of my choice to appreciate my values and I decided to answer Ndegbe 1 of Enugu Ezike (the oldest, strongest and cleansing masquerade of Enugu Ezike).
“Recently, I have become the first Enugu Ezike man with one Eagle feather on his Cap that is permitted into the sacred and prestigious Elders’ Council of Enugu Ezike meetings, which is the apex body to decide all issues of customs and tradition in the ancient kingdom,” he said.
High points of the ceremony were a 50 traditional canon gunshots and presentation of gift items to the Onyishi Enugu Ezike, which included: a giant ram, scores of tubers of yam, a giant white fowl and calabash of kola-nuts among others.
Enugu Ezike ancient kingdom is made up of four major communities, which included: Ezeodo, Essodo, Itodo, and Ozzi.
